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3 UCLA basketball players arrested in China arrive back in US

Three UCLA basketball players accused of shoplifting in China last week returned to Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Video showed the three freshmen greeted by a media scrum as they walked out of a Los Angeles International Airport terminal about 6 p.m. (9 p.m. ET).

US President Donald Trump earlier said he asked his Chinese counterpart to help in the case.

LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill were allowed to leave after the situation was "resolved to the satisfaction of the Chinese authorities," said Larry Scott, commissioner of the Pacific-12 athletic conference, of which UCLA is a member.

"We are all very pleased that these young men have been allowed to return home to their families and university," Scott said in a news release

The trio had stayed at the hotel, reportedly awaiting next steps in their case, while their teammates went to Shanghai, where UCLA defeated Georgia Tech 63-60 on Saturday. They stayed in China as their team returned to the United States over the weekend.

Trump thanked for looking into case

UCLA's trip coincided with Trump's two-day state visit to the Chinese capital, Beijing, as part of his 13-day trip to Asia. Trump told reporters that Xi had been helpful in working to resolve the case.

Scott acknowledged Trump, among others, in his statement.

"We are grateful for the role that our Chinese hosts played, and for the courtesy and professionalism of the local authorities," Scott said. "We also want to acknowledge UCLA's significant efforts on behalf of their student-athletes.

"Finally, we want to thank the President, the White House and the US State Department for their efforts towards resolution."

Trump's request was first reported by the Washington Post.

Players to address media on Wednesday

Ball -- a brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball -- Riley and Hill are scheduled to speak to reporters at UCLA on Wednesday morning, along with UCLA head coach Steve Alford and athletic director Dan Guerrero, the school said.

The Bruins, ranked 23rd nationally, will play a home game Wednesday night against Central Arkansas.

Days before the game in Shanghai, the Bruins were in Hangzhou to visit the headquarters of Alibaba, the e-commerce giant that sponsored Saturday's contest.